Electric switch



July 9, 1940- w. c. cR-lMMlNs 2,207,457

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed MaICh 28, 1938 MEQ;

TOR NE xs.'

Patented July 9, 1.940

NITED STATES ELEcTRrc swrrcn William C. Crimmins, Marion, Ind., assignor to Delta Electric Company, Marion, Ind., a corporation of Indiana.

Application March 2.8, 1938, Serial No. 198,422

1 Claim.

This invention relates to electric switches. One of the primary objects of the present ing vention is to provide an improved and simplied Switch structure in which a minimum number cj. parts are utilized, thereby providing a switch vucture which is economical to manufacture.

` i fr further object of the present invention is to plcvlde an improved structure for mounting a sliding button on an escutcheon plate, whereby the button may be readily moved relative to the plate with a minimum of wearon the engaging parts.

Other objects of the invention vwill become apparent from the following specification, the drawing relating thereto, and from the claim hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing in which like numerals are A.Ised to designate like parts in the several views throughout:

A Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a switch structure embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; l l

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the parts in a dierent position; f

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along th-e line 4-4 of Fig. 1; v

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are enlarged perspective views 3U of certain of the elements used in the switch structure according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a modied form of button having the attaching clips molded therein; and, 35 Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantialy along the line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

in the switch of the present invention the contact terminals are mounted directly to the escutcheon plate, and a sliding button is slidably mounted directly to the escutcheon plate, to complete and break the circuit between the terminal members. Means are provided for slidably mounting the button relative to the escutcheon plate which includes yoke members fixed to the 45 button having bent ends which engage slide plates mounted within recesses in the back of the escutcheon plate. An easy sliding movement is thereby insured for the button relative to the plate, and the construction is such that the enf'J gaging parts do not Wear away, so that the life ofthe switch is considerably lengthened;

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description of the invention, and referring particularly to Figs. 1 to '7, `an electric switch struc'- ture is illustrated which includes an escutcheon (Cl. D-153) plate I0 of suitable design having openings I2 therethrough, `through which attaching mem,- bers such as screws are adapted toextend for attaching the switch to a supporting body. The

escutcheon plate Il) is preferably lmade of a molded plastic material. Metal contact terminal members I4 are fixed directly to the escutcheon plate IIJ in spaced relation to each other and preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis of the plate I0. The members I4 extend completely 10 through the plate and terminate substantially flush with the forward face thereof. Lead Wires extending recess 24 formed on the inner face 25V thereof, which is adapted to receive therein an elongated metal contact member 26. The contactmember 26A has spaced Contact pointsy 28 formed thereon and has its ends 30 bent at an angle so that the bent ends 3U engage the end 30 walls of the recess 24 and guide the contact member 26 in its movement within the recess. Another substantially cylindrical recess 32 is provided in the button 22 at substantially mid point which is adapted to receive a coil spring 35 34 therein. The coil spring 34 bears against the adjacent face of the contact member 26 and urges it against the adjacent face of the escutcheon .plate I0 vso that when the circuit is closed, the contact points 28 are resiliently urged into 40 contact with the terminals I4, as shown in Fig. 3. The spring 34 also permits movement of the contact member 25 away from Contact with the terminal as the button is slid along the escutcheon plate.

In order to slidably mount the button 22 directly on the escutcheon plate so that positive sliding action may be obtained Without undue wear of the parts and without causing looseness between the button and the escutcheon plate, yoke members 40, preferably of metal are Xed to the button 22 and extend longitudinally thereof and through the button. The yoke member 4D may be molded in the button when the button is formed, or they may be placed through opent5 ings which are formed in the button either during the molding operation or afterwards. In this embodiment, preformed parallel openings are provided through the button to receive therein the legs of the yoke members 40 along each side of the button. Longitudinally extending grooves 4I communicate with the parallel openings so that when the yoke members 40 are placed in the openings the bases of the yoke members will lie within the grooves 4I with the outer edges of the yoke members substantially flush with the outer surface of the button.

'I'he ends 42 of the yckes are adapted to extend through the slots 20 adjacent the inner edges of the recesses I8. Metal slide plates 44 of substantially the same size and configuration as the recesses I8 are disposed in the recesses I8 and may be suitably xed therein, as by a press fit. The ends 42 are then bent outwardly, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and are adapted to slidably engage the slide plates 44. As the button 22 is slid longitudinally of the escutcheon plate IIJ, the bent portions 42 engage and slide over the slide plates 44, thereby providing a structure by which the button 22 is positively held in position relative to the escutcheon plate and by which relatively easy sliding of the button is obtained. The metal slide plates further afford a construction which does notrapidly wear away in use, and consequently the switch has a relatively long life. l

In Fig. 3 the parts are illustrated when the switch is in its on position, or when the circuit is closed, in which event the contact points 28 of the contact member 26 engage in complementary cone-shaped recesses in the inner ends of the terminals I4. When thebutton is moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 the switch is in its off position, or the circuit is open, in which event the contact between the terminals I4 is broken, and complementary cone-shaped recesses are provided `in the escutcheon plate for the reception of the contact points 23 so as to prevent inadvertent displacement of the button. As the button is slid from one position to the other the bent ends 42 of the yoke member 4U slide along the slide plate 44 and maintain the button 22 in a firm position relative to the escutcheon plate I0, while permitting sliding movement therebetween.

In Figs. 8 and 9, a modified form of button is illustrated in which the yoke members 4I! are molded directly in the button 22 when the button is formed. In this embodiment the yoke member 40 is of less depth than the yoke member 40 in the embodiment described above, and has upwardly and outwardly tapering side edges 43 on those parts of the yoke members which are embedded within the plastic button. These tapering side edges 43 assist in keeping the yoke members in place after the yoke members are molded into the buttons. The lower edge of the base of each of the yoke members lies substantially iiush with the lower face of the button. The ends of the legs of the yokes are adapted to extend through the slots 2D adjacent the inner edges of the recesses I8, when the button is assembled, and be bent outwardly as indicated at 42 in thezembodiment `described above. i Formal changes may be made in the specic embodiment of `the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention, 'the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claim. VWhat is claimed is: 1

An electric switch structure comprising Lan escutcheon plate, electric terminal members xed directly to said plata-said escutcheon plate having substantially parallel elongated recesses formed in the rear face thereof adjacent said terminal members, a slide plate disposed within each of said'recesses, a button on the forward facepf .saidescutcheon plate slidable relative thereon, a contact member resiliently mounted within said button for completing the circuit between said terminals when the button is in one position, and means for slidably mounting said button directly on said plate, said last-named meansI including yoke members fixed to said button and extending through said escutcheon plate adjacent said slide plates, the ends of said yoke members being bent'to slidably engage said slide plates` and thereby slidably iix said button relative to said escutcheon plate.

VIILLIAM C. CRIMMINS.

CERTIFICATE 0F coRREcTioN.

Patent No. 2,io7,Li57. July 9, 191m.

WILLLAM C. CRIMMINS It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page'Z, seoond column, line 56, in the claim, for the word "thereon" read --the reto; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of September, A. D. 19LLO.

Leslie Frazer,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

